Difficulty in the Atlantic
Does anyone know which S&S is this boat?
She does not look to have any damage, anyway she has been abandoned.

https://youtu.be/_Hyi3vPB8_I?t=90
a 44 ?
matteo 45
grampus 47/016

She is Swan 44 Kolibri

There has been some information about this incident in local press. Apperantly the vessel was caught in 40 kn wind and up to 15m waves some 350 nm s/w of the Azores en route from the West Indies. Suffered several knock-downs wlith some crew members injured. Released the EPIRB and were picked up by Portugese navy after some 10 hrs. Vessel believed to be lost.
Terje.

It looks like an S&S 44 and judging by the reports it was French.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/dramatic-video-shows-air-rescue-stranded-passengers-mid/story?id=30902426

It looks like an S&S 44 and judging by the reports it was French. http://abcnews.go.com/International/dramatic-video-shows-air-rescue-stranded-passengers-mid/story?id=30902426

Kolibri is under Norwegian flag

The page on this website is rather complete.
http://www.wavetrain.net/news-a-views/665-azores-rescue-ops-12-crew-recovered-off-5-yachts-one-young-girl-dead
I would suggest to read the first comment regarding leaving a boat which is still navigating under engine with no apparent damages.
Matteo 45
Grampus 47/016

Hello
Kolibri, the S&S 44 is Norwegian and own by our friend Guttorn Guttormsen. The boat was abandoned because the crew were simply extremely tired whilst the boat was floating and quite alright. Kolibri is not lost and will, perhaps, be recovered. The issue is being examined. Guttorn is a very experienced and tough sailor. His decision to abandon the ship was correct at the moment when it was taken. As Guttorm said afterwords, "all was in such terrible chaos and we coul not cope anymore"
Cheers//Philippe

Hi Philippe and others,
thank you, there was something mysterious when looking at the footage, observing the boat which looked impeccable in the water.
You confirm that it was more a crew breakdown than a problem with the boat. Surely the weather conditions must have been much worse at the time of the call for rescue.
Regards,
Matteo 45
grampus 47/016

For whom of you who understand Norwegian.
In the following link there is a video where the skipper tells about the experience.

http://svenskalangfardsseglare.se/2015/05/12/allt-var-bara-kaos/

Best Regards,
Bjorn, "Four Winds" 44/014

Hi folks,

it seems as if the S&S 44 ‘Kolibri‘ has been seen 2000nm miles away from the place were she was abandoned in May, and she is still afloat:

http://www.ybw.com/news-from-yachting-boating-world/video-yacht-lost-during-fatal-storm-located-14982

Good night to you all, Michael

There is something to learn.
-1 In case of violent storm in the ocean, do not leave your boat if you are on a S&S Swan
-2 These Swans have small water tanks, so be prepared to store around one bottle of wine per day per crewmember, six months would make 900 liters for a crew of 5, about one ton.
There are enough lockers and a deep bilge in the boat. Place this load centrally, you will gain in stability.
Because of the emergency, wine in paper cartons, although repelling, might be more practical for storing than glass bottles
In case someone will show up before six months, refuse assistance and shout: thank you, I am OK here!
Matteo 45 Grampus 47/016

...just found this fairly interesting image:

https://www.seilas.no/innhold/navigasjon-og-sjomannskap/?article_id=36814

Let us hope that the owner can salvage his beautiful boat, and soon. It so deserves a thorough refit, for all its adventures. But who on earth left the hatch open?

Kind regards, Michael - 47/013 VERA

Well, I do not know if the hatch was left open or something happened later, but surely what amazes me is her being well out of the water after such an adventure as can be checked by the position of the boot top stripes.
Another confirmation on how well these boats are designed and built!
Daniel, 411/004

Please note that salvaging brings its own risks, two Swans (not S&S) have sunk after being taken in tow by big ships, because the ships used towing speeds far too high for the yachts :-(
Kind regards
Lars

...who left the hatch open?...
At the beginning I had a similar reaction but then, after reading a booklet on steering referenced elsewhere in this forum, I learned a very important lesson.
When one takes the final and painful decision to abandon his/her boat, the commonly advised behavior is to avoid that another floating wreck endangers other cruising boats.
Apparently, leaving one hatch open is not enough for a S&S Swan.
Daniel, 411/004